After serving the minimum nine years in a Las Vegas prison for armed robbery in 2007, O.J. Simpson is granted a parole. Yet, it is O.J.’s 1994 high-profile trial and acquittal of murder charges for the brutal deaths of his former wife Nicole Brown-Simpson and Ron Goldman that still stirs the imagination.

At first, I was so sure that he was not guilty of such a horrendous crime. Then, there was the trial which was so messed up. With all the media circus, the racism, and police bungling of the evidence, it never did (or likely never will) clarify O.J.’s guilt or innocence one way or the other. Yet, here is where the wisdom of “beyond a reasonable doubt” advances our civilized society.

Still, there are two things that haunt me about my reactions to the O.J. Simpson drama. First, the look on the face of our young colleague (a White kid gently raised with good values) as he basically asked me and another African-American woman who was also certain that O.J. did not do it:

“Why can’t he possibly be guilty?”

Rob looked so pure and innocent asking this pointed question; I am still haunted by it. And now wish I would have been wiser then, and given him a better answer.

The next haunt about this case is the fact that all the sordid guilt (and lifestyle) was quickly assigned to O.J., particularly by those in the media. And you know what; he is still unevenly vilified, more so than ever.

In sharp contrast to the Michael Brown case and some of the other African-American victims (and their witnesses) who were readily vilified by the media’s talking-heads, not one discussion, as I recall, was made as to whether Nicole’s, peace be upon her, prior actions (bad or otherwise) could have contributed to hers and Ron’s brutal deaths.

Sadly, rumors and theories abound in certain sectors that this was a hit by a drug cartel, a drug deal gone bad for lack of money, etc. But never a peep by the media was uttered. Now, this possibility still angers me, knowing that some of the rich and famous uses more drugs than the entire continent of Africa, so to speak. And, many of the “haves” generally buy their personal “stash” from African-American drug dealers in the ‘hood, or so they say.

Of course, maintaining a squeaky-clean public image of White folks, despite the obvious realities screaming for a voice, has generally been the media’s top priority. Yet, a definitive change is on the horizon.

Today, my answer to Rob, my innocent young colleague, would simply be: Rob, I really don’t know whether O.J. did it or not. But it’s fun talking about it! And be at peace with that.

“This above all: To thine own self be true. And it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man [woman, or child].” ~Wm Shakespeare, Hamlet Act One

Lotus Flower, Symbol of Spiritual Awakening

Today, with all the confusion wrought by our current presidential election campaigns, for those of us who traverse the less-travelled road to the Truth within us, and have realized it, the above truism from the Bard (“To thine own self be true…”) is forever inspiring.

To know the Truth within us is to know who we really are. Thus, we are loathe to relinquish the gift of Truth, which is of God!

Without the Truth we are nothing. Thus, destined to accept life’s illusions no matter how glorified or dismal it seems.

That is: Until we tire of the endless unhappiness that reliance on established illusions will surly bring, and seek the promise of our True Self that illuminates the world around us.

Of course, the Truth is forever calling to us. Perhaps this is why we ultimately hate those who insist upon lying to us. Particularly those seeking influence over our daily lives, this being tantamount to denying our highest purpose in life. Which is to join with other souls and extend real abundance (love) to all without spiritual cost to none.

Truth Illuminates, Lies Darken

To accept the Truth as our Inner Guide is to ultimately realize the value of true happiness and inner peace.

Hence: “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” ~Jesus the Christ (John: 8:32)

In the political realm where society’s laws are ultimately created, some woefully misguided Americans tend to scoff at the idea of a so-called “democratic socialist” daring to run for U.S. president with the realistic intent to restore our failing democracy.

Having an obvious aversion to transparency (the truth), could it be that Hillary and the Donald have more in common than most of their ardent supporters care to think? Having the same purpose, could it be that they’re closer than the opposite sides of the same coin?

Arguably, most people tend to embellish or even obscure certain facts now and then. Yet, a truly honest and mature person not only values the truth, but actually hates lying.

While it is beyond the scope of this article to determine why some folks tend to avoid the truth; yet, based on their public demeanor, seems both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are afraid of the truth. As a result, they resist transparency like the plague, or so it appears.

Of course, the habitual need for secrecy is a dangerous attribute, particularly in a world leader!

With Donald Trump, his familiar bully persona and endless chatter seems to be his main defense against the truth. This was abundantly clear during the GOP primary debates where he delivered vicious insult after insult rather than truthfully answer questions posed by the moderator or his fellow debaters. Recently, his alleged retort concerning his tax rate (a forty-year tradition of presidential candidates) was: “none of your business!”

While Hillary Clinton’s dangerous obsession with secrecy is legendary: Consider the FBI”s current investigation of her secret email server as Sec of State, her refusal to produce transcripts of her lucrative Wall Street Speeches (from which reporters were barred), and the press’s ever shrinking access to her. Last April 24th on CNN’s Reliable Sources with Brian Stelter, here, a source stated with noticeable trepidation that:

“Clinton travels on her own plane. The reporters travel on a separate plane. They’re often spending the night in different cities. [And] fundraisers are completely closed to the media.” Clearly a departure from traditional campaigns: “To be able to have a conversation with a candidate on the plane going from one campaign to another, that doesn’t exist anymore,” lamented the source.

As to the Trump campaign, here, the reliable source basically says: “The reporters who cover [Trump] have very little access to him at all. And something that exists in the Trump campaign that isn’t the case with Clinton, is there’s almost a hostility toward the press. The reporters are kept in a pen, usually pretty far from the candidates. Often with police barricades around it.”

Sadly, seems Trump’s alleged hostility toward the press is typical of his defense against the truth. Yet, a bubbly Clintonesque persona can be just as hostile as an abrasive Trump persona. Hence, the mournful destruction of a mild-mannered con artist!

“The Year of the Hated”

Hatred (a deep sense of loss) can be a vital signal when properly seen as a warning sign. But, we must think and act wisely, then let it go (forgive) lest we be consumed by it.

Thankfully, despite the lack of objectivity that some reporters (though certainly not all) in the Media seem to exhibit during their political news coverage, the printed news media is still publishing good stories that are worthy of its time-honored profession. A profession our free society must surly rely on in order to be free.

In general, though their unfavorable ratings are high, supporters of both Hillary and Trump seem totally oblivious to the sentiments of the rest of society. Yet, according to the Real Clear Politics averages: “Trump has an unfavorable rating of 65 percent. Clinton has 55 percent.”

Nonetheless, widely enabled (to the exclusion of others) by the Media he allegedly treats with contempt, Trump wins the Republican Indiana Primary, much to his apparent surprise.

His final challengers, Sen. Cruz of Texas and Gov. Kasich of Ohio, soon concede and Donald Trump becomes the “presumptive nominee” of the Republican Party. Though absent the usual fan-fare from the GOP establishment.

Bernie Sanders wins the Democratic Indiana Primary, and vows to continue until all voters in the remaining primaries have voted! In conclusion, the above Washington Post article (“The Year of the Hated…”) aptly notes:

“The socialist from Vermont was the only candidate for president not disliked by a majority of voters.” And so, the Democratic Primaries between Bernie and Hillary continues.

“Tell the Truth and Shame the Devil”

A grieving Lezley McSpadden and Neighbors, New York Times

Those who hate lying usually hate being lied too, which is a form of self-preservation.

Lezley McSpadden begins her memoire by saying: “First off, I don’t tell lies because I can’t keep up with them. My grandmother always said, “Don’t lie. Tell the truth and shame the devil.” She then says: “Your word is what you still got when you don’t have any money.”

Sadly, Darren Wilson has yet to be tried for Michael Brown’s murder. Truly, a missed opportunity to uphold justice in a society that is slowly declining for lack of criminal and economic justice, he likely won’t be tried in a criminal court.

Having discredited most of the eye witnesses, including Brown’s companion, an African American male who was with him when then Officer Wilson stopped them for walking in the street and ultimately shot Michael Brown to death, the Department of Justice decided not to indict Darren Wilson.

Hoping for some justice, a civil action is pending on behalf of Mike Brown’s aggrieved family. And the oft-painful quest for justice in our society continues.

President Obama and the BLM Movement

Having recently excused Secty Hillary Clinton’s secret email server as “carelessness” during an exclusive interview with Fox News last April, could it be that President Obama is actually a closeted Clinton supporter?

Sadly, President Obama, who seems a Hillary Clinton supporter more often than not, has directly or indirectly spoken out against advocates of the Black Lives Matter Movement (“BLM”) that once interrupted a fancy Hillary Clinton fundraiser much to her chagrin.

While he appears in favor of another devastating Clinton presidency (Heaven forbid!), President Obama seems to belittle the BLM Movement in the process.

“Once you’ve highlighted an issue and brought it to people’s attention and shined a spotlight, and elected officials or people who are in a position to start bringing about change are ready to sit down with you, then you can’t just keep on yelling at them,” Mr. Obama said.

“You see, change requires more than righteous anger. It requires a program, and it requires organizing,” said President Obama.

Yet, even as we write and with all due respect to President Obama’s ongoing efforts to stop police brutality, according to glaring news reports daily: Black folks, in particular, are still being needlessly detained by unfair police officers (some downright psychotic), raped, cavity searched on the streets, shot multiple times with no chance of survival, and otherwise severely brutalized just because some officers feel they are above the law!

Lest we not forget: It was Hillary Clinton who coined the toxic phrase “superpredator” relative to mostly young Black males who were the target of her husband’s contentious 1994 Crime Bill, which she strongly advocated for. Sadly, this terrible law virtually gutted the humane education of prisoners, wrongly justified lucrative private prisons, and caused the mass incarceration of marginalized Black and Brown citizens that devastated families and communities, from which many are still reeling.

And while Clinton has seemly apologized for saying such, Hillary that is, Bill continues to explicitly justify the “superpredator” term, the Clintons are far from convincing rational voters that things would actually change if they get another chance as president, God forbid!

Mr. President, Sometimes We Just Have to Yell!

Albeit it “politically incorrect,” clearly the BLM is bent on reminding voters of the Clinton 1994 Crime Bill initiative that continues to fuel deadly police brutality towards African Americans in particular without stop. In short, they just don’t want to be killed by another psychotic police officer!

When, after all is said and done, and terrible things continue to remain the same: Well, Mr. Pres, sometimes we just have to yell. And we can’t much blame the BLM Movement for that.

Truth and Justice for all is always a possibility within reach. Thus, we must never be fooled or otherwise sidetracked by the naysayers.

And so the 2016 race for the White House and a More Perfect Union continues.

“Tell a white lie for no reason. They point fingers and bite the hand that feeds them. Help ’em Lord, for they know not what they do, swear to God they know better than you…Tell the truth,” by Jussie Smollett, actor/singer-songwriter.

The term ‘a white lie’ generally refers to the gentle lies we often tell each other or ourselves to avoid facing a harsh truth. Silence may be necessary at times; yet, in the end, the truth is better served though sometimes hurtful.

It is far better to be wounded by a thorn of truth and change our perspective, then shrink behind a bouquet of little white lies…to laugh not all of our laughter and cry not all of our tears.

Each time I hear young Jessie Smollett’s poignant song ‘Tell The Truth’ from the acclaimed television series Empire, it haunts me long after it’s finished. For me, it’s as if young Jessie, through the gift of his voice, is virtually crying out in the wilderness, beseeching those of us who are still asleep, and there are many, to wake up and see the truth before it’s too late.

And then, please tell the truth! Particularly, as it relates to decades of unregulated police abuse or harassment of African-American males, and others, that has now turned deadly.

Don Lemon’s Troubling Article

An award-winning journalist known for his pointed questions and impromptu remarks, his job, that reflects a free American spirit, Lemon anchors CNN Tonight with Don Lemon and breaking news stories on-the-scene. Which has included the recent Baltimore Riots, the Michael Brown tragedy in Ferguson, and the George Zimmerman trial in Sanford Florida. Before joining CNN in 2006, he had anchored for NBC News and its affiliates.

Although his recent article titled ‘Baltimore Crime is off the Charts, Guess Who Is To Blame?’ is troubling, I generally like Don’s reporting and follow him on CNN. While I feel Mr. Lemon is on our side re the smoldering issue of police abuse nationwide, I am not sure whether the article takes us to the truth-of-the-matter or distracts from it, here is why.

The above cited article reports a significant rise in crime in the Baltimore area, particularly the shootings and homicides over the Memorial Day weekend where “29 people were shot [and 8] were killed”. It also states that homicides are currently “up 40 percent from last year” making these crimes the deadliest since 1999. This, according to the mayor, is “disheartening” indeed, thus no argument there.

Seems “the recent unrest” is, in part, the blame for the crime surge. Yet, Commissioner Anthony Batts assures us that his police clearly are “not holding back” despite being surrounded by up to 50 citizens putting cameras in their faces whenever they respond to a call; a sure sign there is much work needed on community engagement, he states.

Though the article does not directly blame the mayor, the police commissioner, or the residents. Yet, by inferring that: “The real story however may not be anything Batts or the Mayor want to admit,” and that the reason for the crime surge “was the direct result of a coordinated police work slowdown,” alluding to an unnamed police officer’s beliefs, it sure seems so.

Are Massive Protests Against Police Brutality To Blame?

Apart from the recent riots in Baltimore sparked by Freddie Gray’s funeral, yet another African American male allegedly abused to death while in police custody, seems most of the nationwide protests against police brutality have been relatively peaceful.

The above cited article closes by stating: “But officers in Baltimore, according to at least one of their own, are turning their backs on not only the Mayor but also the citizens they’re sworn to protect, ” and ends with a list of shootings and homicides over the weekend.

Unintended perhaps, still it seems this scenario clearly smacks of the ol’ blame-the-victim game to avoid a harsh truth. This is not only troubling but dangerous! As the problem of systemic police brutality is escalating and threatens the very fabric of our great nation.

Are We Ready to Save Our Democracy?

Someone once said that the Chinese character for crisis represents destruction and opportunity. So, today, are we truly ready to save our democracy and take it to the next level? Or do we continue making the same old mistakes? The choice, as always, is ours.

First we have to recognize that our beloved democracy has not only reached a crisis, but the smoldering issue of nationwide police abuse is at its nexus!

Actually, the world often seems in one crisis or another; but, first, we must get our own stuff in order before we can even think about saving the world.

Thankfully, there are attributes within each of us ready to extinguish the smoldering fires of police abuse now! That now threatens to uproot democracy, our most cherished American value. Yet, we must be willing to see the truth and let it leads us…rather than continue with the usual convoluted cover ups.

Justice for Some Only is Likely the Real Culprit

“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other,” a reminder from John Adams, c.1798, our 2nd U.S. President and one of the founding fathers of the United States of America.

Believe it or not! Today, justice for some only is likely the real culprit threatening to uproot our democracy, and it usually starts at the top. Thus making a mockery of the intent of our nation’s founders, and a facade of our U.S. Constitution that has now become fodder for the elite!

Though African-American males and other people of color, in particular, have either been harassed and humiliated or detained without cause by abusive police officers for decades, seems the killings of Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner and Michael Brown, with impunity, have sparked a new Civil Rights Movement. Many are protesting police brutality en masse while demanding justice for its victims!

In February 2013 while walking home alone on a misty evening, Trayvon Martin, an African American unarmed teenager was shot to death in Sanford Florida after being stalked by an alleged neighborhood watchman who never identified himself to Trayvon, states the police detective’s initial report. Before being killed by Zimmerman, Trayvon tells a friend on his phone that he is being followed by “a creepy ass white man,” a sure sign of intense fear.

Though Trayvon’s killer seemly had a fair trial, many believe otherwise. According to published reports, seems a bar to justice for Trayvon’s family and society likely started at the top; and ultimately corrupted the police investigation, the trial prosecution, and the jury.

In July 2014, Staten Island New York, Eric Garner an African American man, age 43, virtually died right before our eyes on national TV gasping “I can’t breathe.” Garner was in a chokehold held by a police officer trying to arrest him for selling untaxed single cigarettes. A petty crime that is evocative of Victor Hugo’s immortal hero Jean Valjean in Le Misérables, who is ever hounded by Inspector Javert, a self-righteous policeman, for stealing a loaf of bread, c.1862.

Today, Eric Garner’s tragic death seems to ask us all: Is not a person’s life worth more than a State’s tax on one cigarette? Are not our laws also meant to be merciful?

Though the New York Medical Examiner had ruled Garner’s death a homicide, in December 2014 a Staten Island Grand Jury declined to indict his killer. Thousands marched on Washington protesting police violence, with slogans of “I can’t breathe” and “Black Lives Matter.” And so the clarion call for justice continues.

In August 2014, Michael Brown, an unarmed African-American teenager, was shot multiple times by a local police officer in Ferguson Missouri while begging for his life. Witnesses stated Michael had stopped running, and had turned around with his hands up in surrender. The police officer basically said Michael was madly charging at him with his fists balled up. Stumbling, grimacing, doubling up in pain from all those nasty ol’ gunshot wounds, dying perhaps? Of course, this atrocity would have easily been exposed in a fair trial.

No indictment was issued by the local Grand Jury. Thus, no trial!

In a March 4 2015 Memo re Michael Brown’s killing, the U.S. Department of Justice mainly states no criminal charges filed, case should be closed. Various witness testimony was deemed “inconsistent” that could also mean incoherent, confused, inarticulate, and so on. Yet, some of these witnesses were quite lucid during previous press interviews, in my opinion.

When We Tell the Truth, Everyone Wins

The most dangerous lie that we will ever tell, is the lie that we keep telling ourselves, whether collectively or individually. Such as the persistent lie that tells us we are wrong when we are right, and the lie that tells us we are right when we are wrong!

Within a democracy, a good police force is society’s first line of defense. It protects and serves its citizens and those in charge of society. When police dogma begins to see itself as a power separate from those it has sworn to protect and serve, despite the cause, society slowly gets the message and loses trust in its police force. Eventually, the police adopt the old us-against-them mentality. Soon, an undeclared war between the police and its people likely begins.

Whether its leadership care to admit it or not, society begins falling apart as fear is now in charge and the blame game begins. As we know, or should know, fear is a treacherous companion.

The police blame the people, usually those that are historically marginalized by society, and the so-called hero’s of the day, the politicians, rise up blaming the very same people by promising an all out war on crime and such.

Sadly, though the numbers may change, this fictitious war on crime is never won. Since rarely is the truth sought. That is, until the people have had enough and takes to the streets demanding justice, which is where we are today. But, of course, we have been here before. So how do we get out of it this time?

First, as the young troubadour says at the beginning herein, “Tell the truth”!

And since this current mess between the police and the people started at the top, our leaders must no longer be allowed to protect the cop who has failed; or, to protect the abusive cop who, much like the abusive parent, must no longer be tolerated by society.

Being human, we are quite capable of transferring our anger and hatefulness, unless stopped by our own sense of justice. So, like the rest of us, cops must also be responsible for their actions. No job is so dangerous that qualified workers cannot be held responsible for their failures.

Many veteran cops have never had to draw their weapons, nor do they become abusers. So they must be doing something right. Thus rules, regulations and self-disciple are highly valued by good cops and good people everywhere. Which is why truth and justice denied will ultimately destroy a well-ordered society despite its good intentions.

Preventing Police Abuse

Immediately after the 9-11 attacks, the police and firefighters who, without hesitation, sacrificed their own lives by going into the collapsing World Trade Center to save the injured while the able were frantically trying to get out, not only captured the world’s adoration but instantly became our national heroes. Sadly, as widespread police abuse intensifies, now caught on video, the adoration so nobly gained on 9-11 is slowly fading away.

Besides giving today’s good cops a very bad name, police abusers and their cover-ups have now turned our criminal justice system upside down.

Please fix this! As justice, or the lack thereof, ultimately affects the moral standard in any given society. Hence, justice for one is justice for all.

Much like stopping the abusive parent, the abusive cleric, and the abusive teacher, society must now admit that some police officers are abusers. And then make a concerted effort to prevent police abuse before the police officer spins out of control, rather than afterwards!

Thus, I still believe that a good way to deter police abuse is to enable the people to complain directly to their government about a troubling encounter with an abusive police officer, at all levels if necessary, and store such in a data system with a file number for reference.

Naturally, those police officers who tend to abuse, or resent others in general, will likely object loud and clear; and present all kinds of reasons why they should not be held directly accountable to the people they have sworn to serve and protect. But that’s to be expected.

Telling The Truth Matters

Recently, Cpl. David Eric Casebolt, a veteran police officer in McKinney Texas was suspended after a shocking video emerged, now gone viral on YouTube titled ‘Cops Crash Pool Party’, showing the raging officer shouting obscenities at some of the teenage party guests while soon manhandling a bikini clad African American female, age 14, and threatening to put her in jail if she doesn’t be quiet.

Besides pulling her hair, throwing her on the ground and pinning her face down with his knee until she is cuffed, seemly for no apparent reason, the officer drew his gun on the children coming to her aid as she frantically cried out: “ Call my mama and please don’t hurt me”.

Thankfully, no one was killed…this time, though mentally and emotionally injured perhaps, which is also abusive. Yet, this was a highly trained police officer, a 15-year veteran. Who not only acted out of character but, by barking obscenities at some rather than speaking respectfully to all at the scene, he failed miserably on a potentially dangerous call.

Thus, when police officers fail, telling the truth matters. This is not only tantamount to ensuring stability in our criminal justice system, but stops police abuse that generally escalates violence rather than restore the peace.

If we can go to the moon, we can stop police abuse! Please tell the truth, it matters.

According to the Ancients, the heart is the psychic center of feeling; which, of course, is not the same as our human emotions that are generally born of our fixed opinions about things and events. Thus, learning to discern between our perception and our intuition ultimately becomes the primary task of all truthseekers.

Throughout the ages, seems women are thought to be more intuitive than men. Yet men are quite capable of successfully using their intuition as well. Could it be that women usually rely on their intuition more than most men? Or is this simply one of life’s mysteries to ponder as we evolve?

Nonetheless, since justice is indeed a quality of the heart, as we generally ‘feel’ deep within us when something is not quite right or totally unfair despite what is reasonably stated, is it no wonder then that Justice is usually symbolize as a woman?

Hence, still among us are statutes of the Ancient Egyptian goddesses Ma’at (Truth) and Isis (whose name means ‘throne’), the Roman goddess Justitia or Lady Justice, and the Greek goddess Themis, all symbols of justice found throughout the world.

Meeting Durga,Hindu Goddess of Justice

My favorite symbol of Justice is the Hindu goddess Durga, whom I discovered while studying Bharata Natyam (classic temple dance of India) years ago. In times of injustice, many Hindus offer prayers to Durga. Once during class, my Hindu dance teacher gives a traditional nod to the Durga in me. Later she would cast me in her dance recital as Mahisha Asura, the fierce buffalo demon (the ego) that Durga must slay in order to redeem society.

Actually, we’re all meant to integrate the Creative forces (heart and mind) within us, thus killing off our ego (false pride). Hence, the perpetual battles between the East and the West, or so it seems: “And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars…but the end is not yet,” Jesus the Christ, St. Matthew 24:6.

Meanwhile, to be clear here, the aforesaid goddesses in classic mythologies actually represent the intrinsic aspects of good (God) such as: Truth, Courage, Compassion and Justice. Thus, this is not at all about idol worship, but rather about honoring those sacred qualities within us.

Justice for Freddie Gray

When the Mayor said the following, I thought, wow! How cool was that: “We will get justice for Freddie Gray. Believe you me, we’ll get justice. We’re going to do it because we’re going to work together; because, if with the nation watching, three black women at three different levels can’t get justice and healing for this community, you tell me where we’re going to get it in our country,” Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Baltimore

Some men seem to have taken offense to the good mayor’s insightful remarks concerning justice and healing in America via three black women. Yet, as a black woman in America who’s learned to have faith in a Higher Power, I truly understand!

The Eye Contact

Seems the fact of Freddie Gray “having made eye contact” with the police on that fateful Sunday morning has become eventful following his tragic death and its universal aftermath.

Though it is unclear concerning the eye contact in Freddie’s police report, still I am reminded of my disturbing encounter with a police officer while on my way to work.

Sometime ago on a bright and sunny day, feeling happy in my own skin, as usual, I find myself walking by three policemen who had exited the nearby fast-food store. While no eye contact as such, I do recall a fleeting glance into his face that was not friendly.

As I continued walking, I sensed his burly presence behind me, just short of breathing down my neck, and wondered why he did not turn into the adjacent parking lot with the other two police officers. Feeling most uncomfortable, I kept walking knowing my office was near.

Soon, I reach my workplace and as I am about to open the door, I sense the negative energy behind me abate and the annoying policeman leave, though I never looked back. It clearly was a campaign office for the next attorney general.

Preferring peace, I was glad the annoyance abated and that I didn’t have to report this officer who clearly was having a bad day, or a bad life, and was spoiling for a fight (the ego’s way of transferring its rage with impunity).

Sadly, young Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown fell prey to their killer’s raging hatefulness, and the rest is history.

Actually, I Admire the Police

Being fond of law and order, I have an abiding respect for police work that typically requires great intelligence, empathy and self-discipline. In general, my minimal police encounters have been very positive, starting with my early childhood on the Southside of Chicago.

Many years ago while working in real estate, I happened upon an unforgettable moment of pure intelligence. He was standing at the front counter. I was in one of the cubicles behind it. As I rounded the corner into his line of vision, it strangely felt like I was walking toward an alien that was computing my race, gender, approximate age, height, and weight. Once there, he became human again, smiled one of those great President Obama type smiles and politely presented his badge. He was an FBI Agent looking for a previous tenant. Glad all went well.

Baltimore Riots of 2015 Begins

On Monday April 27, the day of Freddie Gray’s funeral, a 25-year-old African American male who died on April 19 of injuries sustained while in police custody, the now historic Baltimore Riots of 2015 begins despite his grief-stricken family’s calls for peace.

Sadly, such turn of events would be in sharp contrast to a week of intense yet generally peaceful protests, with many marching nightly against a long history of police brutality in Baltimore, and elsewhere, in the name of “Justice for Freddie”.

Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony Batts steps forward and states, in part: “We have young adults here who are 15, 16, 17 years old…parents take control of your kids,” which is very significant.

The media is now closely on the ground, telecasting worldwide as events continue to unfold. News reporters abound, capturing all sides of the story with expert news analysis.

As the melee intensifies rioters, now including adults, throw bricks and bottles at police officers injuring many. Some of the officers are seriously injured and hospitalized but later recovers. Local businesses are looted and devastating fires set to many of their buildings. Firefighters are beleaguered by rioters cutting their fire hoses, but not deterred.

By nightfall, Baltimore’s mayor and governor standing together announce a one-week curfew starting the next day, and the National Guard is summoned.

On Tuesday, the next day, concerned residents are out helping with the clean-up. Civic and church leaders vow to renew corporate relationships, raise the necessary funds to start rebuilding the nearly built senior housing and community center that was burned down, though the culprit(s) remain unknown, and to help heal their city.

At the press conference Captain John Eric Kowalczyk of the Baltimore PD cites their decision not to use excessive force on Monday: “I don’t think that there’s anyone in the country that would expect us to deploy automatic weapons and armoured vehicles to an event with 13, 14 and 15 year olds. That’s not what people expect from their police department,” which affirms American values.

As Baltimore Riots, Police Show Remarkable Restraint

CNN anchor Don Lemon would later acknowledge. Yet, seemingly lost amid the blaming of authorities for not responding fast enough to stop Monday’s devastation was the incredible restraint the frontline police officers held in the midst of being pelted by bricks and bottles of unknown substances, despite injuries to fellow officers.

Instead, in sharp contrast to Dr. King’s nonviolent tactics in the 60s, the police were now the nonviolent ones while the protesters were the violent ones, truly a complete role reversal. Who would have thought in the turbulent 60s that a police force would ever deploy King’s nonviolent tactics during a riot, but they did in 2015 Baltimore that day. Only in America!

Thus, the wisdom of Mayor Stefanie and the Baltimore PD was not lost on all of us watching CNN that day. Knowing that children were involved and too many years of pent-up rage was poised to explode across America, police nonviolence was, indeed, the best tactic ever.

So hats off and a bow to Mayor Stefanie Rawlings-Blake and the Baltimore Police Department.

And a big thumbs-up to Toya Graham, Baltimore’s mom of the hour. Who, in fear for his life, unabashedly smacks her teenage son upside-the-head several times while snatching him away from those throwing rocks at the police, proving a mother’s love knows no boundaries.

The Right to be Loved

Love is the world’s greatest power; without love we become the poorest of the poor. Of all the rights honored or should be honored in society is the right to be loved (respected).

First, let’s be clear: there is a marked difference between love and pleasure.

Pleasure, while temporary at best, is getting a new car, buying a house, sex with the right person, a nice vacation, a good job, a nice meal, a hot bath at day’s end, and so forth.

Love, though not of this world, is always a gift usually found in a good friend, a faithful spouse, a generous boss, an inspiring teacher, a devoted parent, our children, the Arts, and even a benevolent government (possibly society’s greatest need).

Sadly, when we deny love’s presence we allow hatred into our hearts that ultimately leads to egotism and deceit, a sure path to ruin if we don’t recognize it and change.

Hatred is a very dangerous emotion that not only will cause us to self-destruct, but often seeks to either hurt or destroy others in our path.

Hence, the historic uprisings of Stonewall, Ferguson and Baltimore against unfettered police brutalities that have now spawned a new Civil Rights movement. At its vanguard is the need for protections of the right to be respected by our government at all levels, at all times.

Freddie Gray’s Last Arrest

A very sad story. Some tend to theorize that Freddie ran because he had something to hide owing to his extensive police record. Yet, maybe Freddie Gray ran for a different reason. Fear of someone planting illegal drugs on him perhaps, which Freddie had tended to believe, or so he said according to one who knew him.

In a Daily Beast article, The Last Time Freddie Gray Was Arrested by Justin Glawe: Quentin Reid, Freddie’s last bail bondsman, basically states that just prior to Freddie Gray’s last arrest he had been arrested for heroin possession and was out on bail, and had said that dope had been planted on him. Sadly, the charges against Freddie Gray have now been dropped: “Abated by death,” so states the court document.

Sadder still, seems most of society tend to write off people like Freddie Gray. Reid basically observes that given Freddie’s poor education and his oppressive environment, the young man never had a chance. Yet Freddie Gray was only 25 years of age; with proper help he just might have turned his life around, much like many such people before him.

The good news is, the death of Freddie Gray, while tragic, has ignited a spark in the right place, at the right time, and amongst the right people who are willing and able to bring about definitive change in our much-needed police departments nationwide.

Among these changes, here is hoping that a communication line is established, by law, in mayor’s offices, states attorney offices and up to the department of justice where citizens are encouraged to report their perceived issues of unresolved police abuses and be heard!

As a unique method to curb routine abuses of police power, that can turn deadly, and to save hateful cops from themselves, police accountability to its citizens, whose tax-dollar pay their salaries, is long overdue. Thus, a citizen’s easy report to the aforesaid offices must include assigning a document number and such for future reference.

In this way, what Freddie Gray was unable to accomplish in life, a direct line of communication between the people and their government as to police brutality and such is fully implemented in view of his tragic death.

“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” ~President John Adams, c. 1798

As students of American History, we have seen our government evolve from a slave-breeding society to a much more humane society, in which we all can be proud. Yet, somewhere between then and now, we, as a people, seem to have lost our moral compass and should be very, very concerned.

As the truth, being eternal, cannot or will not be abandoned forever.

Perhaps America’s morality has never been fully realized in higher places given its dark history of slavery, which is a moral error that has yet to be fully reconciled. Perhaps herein lies the root of our society’s perpetual confusion, yet not the complete story.

Birth of the Bully

Actually, there have always been certain people in a given society who harbor a hateful bias and fear-driven animosity toward others, which often lead to great unhappiness in their own lives when left untreated. As this prolonged angst becomes too painful to bear, many such persons actively engage in projecting their inner hostility outwardly, which generally exacerbates in time. And the proverbial bully is born, oft-wearing a mask.

Sadder still, once in a position of authority, the obscure bully persona seems to enjoy wielding power over others rather than assume self-control…that is until the Universal Law of Karma appears and demands it’s due.

The Unexposed Bully, the Real Menace to Society

Meanwhile, once in power, the bully personality can take many forms. Yet, as our society continues to evolve, many of these hidden forms of bullying are now being recognized and rightly exposed.

And thus, what was previously dismissed as shocking and quite unthinkable, many of society’s bullies are now brought to justice, such as: the abusive teacher or clergy, an abusive parent or spouse, a mentally ill care-giver, or even an abusive icon.

Once again, seems the people have had enough and now a different type of bully is being forced out of the shadows, though our collective society has yet to indict such.

Perhaps, it is the age-old myth that exposure of one “bad apple” will spoil the lot! Yet, while other bad apples might also fall; still, upholding the truth will solve the problem, if we let it!

Sadly, among many of today’s unexposed bullies are our respected authority figures, those we rely on for protection and leadership, such as: the police, the military, and even our elected officials.

To deny such a possibility is ridiculous. As it is these individuals who present the most danger to our society when not dully recognized and brought to justice.

So What is Justice Exactly?

As with all unseen qualities that most of us aim to live by, justice, much like truth and mercy cannot be adequately described, but it can be felt. Therefore, we can safely deduct that justice, along with truth and mercy, is a quality of the heart that responds favorably when allowed and engenders righteous indignation when denied.

Thus, being human with a living heart, we well know when truth and justice are allowed, and when such are not! With no grand jury indictments in both the Eric Garner and Michael Brown killings by police recently, which were committed before our very eyes as Michael’s hands appear up in surrender or while hearing Eric’s plaintive cry for a breath of air, we, the people, have been protesting nationally and even globally ever since.

Read articles here: When Two Students One Black One White Protest here, London protests here, US Capitol staffers for Ferguson here, Protests in Support of Eric Garner here, Ferguson Protesters March to Missouri Governor’s Mansion here, Lawyers Stage ‘Die In’ in L.A. to Protest Police Brutality here, Medical Students Stage #WhiteCoats4BlackLives Protests here, and reminiscent of the Sixties Civil Rights Movement: Thousands March in Washington to Protest Police Violence here.

Sunday, Net players who also wore the “I can’t breathe” shirts, called for peace and a moment of silence following the very tragic murders of NYPD Officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos by a madman on Saturday December 20th, here. And so the noble call for justice peacefully continues, as it must!

Why is Justice Important Now?

Of course, justice is always important in any civilized society. First, justice affirms the values by which we all must live, with the initial precept being to harm no one. Next, after a meticulous search for the truth during a fair trial, justice then declares what is right and what is wrong in a given case, which affects us all.

With police bullying being seen as such and thus considered a crime to be charged accordingly, police brutality would virtually cease.

Sadly, without the right use of our justice system by responsible authorities, our entire society suffers. See recent articles relative to the alleged manipulation of the Michael Brown case put before the grand jury by the local prosecutor here and here, and the so-called mistakes of his assistant prosecutor here.

Since our justice system is meant for the good of all the people, no one must be held above the law, including our law enforcers and our lawmakers. Nor should government officials seek to manipulate the justice system in their favor, ever!

Beware of the ‘Bad Apples’

Perhaps this is what Pres. John Adams, a Puritan who never owned a slave, meant so long ago when he penned the following line in a letter to his officers in the Massachusetts Militia, c. 1798, and should be fixed over the doors to every hall of justice in our nation:

“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

Thus, we must be mindful of the ‘bad apples’ among us, particularly those unethical officials in our justice system who tend to make up their own rules as they go along!

And so we all must remain vigilant and guard our fragile democracy with tender care. When truth and justice are denied we must not only protest, as we do, but stay the course until truth and justice are restored, as we’ve always done in the past!

A Crisis of Truth and Justice Denied

Meanwhile, in honor of the Christmas Season, we offer prayers for the Truth and nothing but the Truth to prevail in this crisis of truth and justice denied, which is calling us all.

According to the Chinese Ancients, a crisis represents destruction and opportunity. Thus, we always have a choice as to our response.

Either we surrender to our fearful denial of justice in the Brown-Garner cases and let fear rule us, which generally ensures further disaster…

Or we can all join hands together, neither looking right nor left, and keep marching for Truth and Justice to blossom in our land. The choice is ours!

After days that went into intensive months of a call for justice, Monday November 24, at around half past 8 pm, would be a sad moment for those of us anxiously awaiting the grand jury’s decision to indict police officer Darren Wilson for the tragic killing of Michael Brown, an unarmed person barely out of his teens just trying to get home.

While many in the news continued to voice their doubts given the local authorities’ brazen disregard for public demands to do the right thing, still there were those of us hoping that most of the grand jury members would follow reason, ignore that tribal impulse to support racism’s views and indict Wilson on at least one of the charges, which ranged from degrees of murder to involuntary manslaughter. But, of course, they didn’t, and thus failed to indict him.

As I watched the people’s reactions on CNN after hearing Robert McCulloch, the county prosecutor announce the grand jury’s decision of no indictment for Officer Wilson in Michael Brown’s shooting, I had to fight back the tears as the subtle wailing and moaning of the frustrated protesters (most likely not much older than Michael was) managed to briefly waft above the noisy crowd. Soon, too many hours of repressed anxiety would ultimately give rise to chaos, violence and the destruction of local businesses that serve their community.

A Brutal Disregard for Humanity

Throughout the ages though never a good idea, seems chaos, violence, the burning and looting of local stock is not unusual when public demand for justice is arrogantly ignored by its leaders, and the people are left frustrated and hurt beyond belief. Sadly, Ferguson’s local leaders (from the governor on down) knew this and could have prevented it. But, they didn’t! Which reeks of a brutal disregard for humanity, or so it seems.

And so while we patiently wait for justice for Mike Brown from our Justice Department, we urge those in our great society to rise above the primal instinct to defend tribalism (one’s own group) and realize that as an open and free democracy we are all in this together. Thus, justice for one is justice for all, and justice denied lets injustice thrive where we least imagine it to be.

The Gift of Humanity

A simple way out of tribalism and racism…always see another’s humanity first! And do take care to remember our common humanity at all times. This is likely how the ancient custom of speaking, particularly when passing another or that of saying “good morning” at day’s beginning or “good night” at day’s end, came into practice in human affairs.

Finally we learn that to honor another’s humanity is to realize our own, which is a sacred gift that awakens our innermost happiness and keeps us civilized.

“Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: For our vines have tender grapes.” ~Song of Solomon, 2:15 KJV

Tragically, on August 9, 2014, around 12pm, Michael Brown, an unarmed African American teenager while allegedly begging for his life with hands in the air, the universal sign of surrender, was shot multiple times until he was dead by Darren Wilson, a local police officer of European origin in Ferguson, Missouri. Only 18 years of age, Michael had recently graduated from high school with immediate plans to attend college and later start his own business; thus, a promising fruit on the vine of society destined to blossom and improve life for all.

What follows afterwards seems hopeless, at first, given the ever-increasing incidents of alleged “police brutality” against African American males in their prime that usually ends with vilifying the victim and exonerating the offending police officer. Yet, hope soon looms large on this dismal horizon, as the people have had enough! And the vigorous, collective protesting has begun. Thus, things are about to change in this regard and all for the best, like it or not.

Unlike Trayvon Martin, another doomed teenager, age 17, who, on February 26, 2012 in Sanford, FL, while walking alone one dark and rainy evening was stalked then later shot and killed by George Zimmerman, a wannabe cop passing as the neighborhood watch, Michael Brown was walking with a friend at high noon. Thankfully, his friend, Dorian Johnson, not only survived this traumatic event, but is now a federal witness.

Moreover, there are at least two other creditable witnesses, with more coming forward, who basically are saying the same thing, which makes it very difficult for a reasonable person to overlook. Though systemic racism is trying hard, as usual, to exploit society’s dark beliefs and obscure the facts. Still, such historic conditioning can only last for so long…as the force of truth will not be ignored forever, and that’s a fact!

Where Are Our Peacemakers?

Actually, back in the day, police officers were also called Peace Officers. Despite it all these days, most police officers, who are also trained to operate on a high plane of reason, are really quite good at their jobs. And thus work hard at keeping us, the public, safe. Sometime ago while suffering the painfully loud music of an inconsiderate neighbor…who, by the way, was of European origin…I had to rely heavily on my city’s police department to restore the peace as our transitioning landlord just was not helping that much.

Convincing the police to empathize with my little predicament, however, was not easy at first. After all, they had more important things to do, like catch the bad guys. And I understood that, but I too had to survive. So, after politely rejecting their attempts to convince me that loud music in apartments was normal nowadays, I threaten to go to the press. In turn, they politely gave me their names, badge numbers and sergeant’s telephone number. The ensuing conversation with their sergeant was, of course, perfect. Sgt R was professional without being cold and stuffy, and friendly without being false and condescending; thus, we talked a good half-hour and he kept his word and followed up with me the next day.

“Keep Talking to Them.”

Thereafter, with the police’s help things always calmed down. Since the noise did not permanently abate I had to call the police often. Yet they always came out and cheerfully helped. And so, in the process, I learned how highly trained the police actually were in quietly restoring the peace. Thus, whenever I called the PD, even to ask more questions, I always felt a deep sense of peace after hanging up. Eventually, I moved; thus a happy ending at last.

Yet, I never will forget what one of the responding officers told me after my explaining how difficult it was to get the apartment manager to act, which he had agreed was the owner’s responsibility. It was a potent message that simply said: “Keep talking to them.” This resonated within me deeply as I knew immediately that this message was from a higher place of truth and forgiveness. I would use this advice quite often in difficult times.

Revered by Judaism and Islamic scholarship, the above Scripture and the entire Song of Solomon is an allegory extolling the bliss of God found only in direct communion with our True Self. The “tender grapes,” reminiscent of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, the great Sufi poet, c.1048-1122, represents the peace or bliss of God. While “the little foxes” seem to suggest our stolen peace by the little foxes of anger and hatred festering in our own minds and hearts. And so we must change.

As I see it, if we are to believe the key eyewitness Dorian Johnson, which our justice system usually accepts, as do I absent any future surprises to the contrary that likely will not happen, Officer Darren Wilson had a choice when he approached the two young men in question.

Instead of allegedly telling them to “get the f–k” out of the street and later putting his hands on someone else’s child, thus approaching them with anger and a total disrespect for their humanity, he simply could have told them to get out of the street or parked his cruiser and talked to them peacefully. As neither Michael nor Dorian were suspects of anything other than walking in the street instead of on the sidewalk. Yet, Officer Wilson didn’t, though he knew or should have known to make a better choice in that moment. Tragically, the rest is history.

And the obvious question concerning Officer Wilson’s deadly actions remains: Who or what was he really angry at and why did he let the little foxes of anger and hatred residing within him get the best of him? The best being that in which to allow him to be the Peace Officer that he was or should have been trained to be. Though Officer Wilson may never answer this resounding question publicly, he will one day either in this life or the next as we are all eternal beings.

Document! Document! Document!

After all is said and done, the wake-up call is clear and the community is ready to make definitive changes, and so we move forward. Sure to deter police harassment, a national database of police officer’s offenses is needed. This has to include the offending officer’s name, badge number and, of course, the date, time and place of the incident.

Shortly before his death in 1895, Frederick Douglass was asked what advice he would give to a young African American. He wisely answered: Agitate! Agitate! Agitate! In the Frederick Douglass tradition, I respectfully submit my best advice based on my life experiences as an African American woman on my own path to personal freedom and self discovery.

Thus in hard times where I felt my personal freedom or dignity was about to be oppressed, usually by an important authority figure such as my employer, a landlord, or even the police, my first line of defense was to first either tell that person or somebody and then, if necessary, document, document, document! This has always worked for me and will work in the collective defense against police harassment or worse.

Having heard personal stories of police harassment of African American males over the years, some very hurtful, I have always thought if only these incidents could be documented and kept in a national database for quick reference as future evidence if needed. Well, today’s technology can now supply that need and at minimal cost it seems. Imagine the bad cops who continue to harass and bully people just because they think they can get away with it and usually do. No one likes to be written up, so to speak. Mainly those who know how damaging that can be in a court of law, particularly documentation of repeat offenses.

And so today, let the documenting of police harassment and brutality begin and stored in a national database. No longer do African Americans have to remain a victim of police harassment, thus: Document! Document! Document! And so our democracy evolves.